Two Charged in Connection with Murder of Eric Hargrett in Framingham

FRAMINGHAM – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Framingham Chief of Police Lester Baker have announced that Aaron Sutton, 49 and Eugene Sutton, Jr. 52, both of Framingham, have been charged in connection with the October 30, 2021 murder of Eric Hargett, 34 also of Framingham.

Aaron Sutton was arrested yesterday and is expected to be arraigned today in Framingham District Court.  Eugene Sutton remains at-large and investigators are actively seeking to locate him.

Eugene Sutton is described as a Black male approximately 5’ 8” tall, weighing about 210 pounds with black hair, brown eyes, a scar on his left forearm and a tattoo of a double-barreled shotgun on his left forearm.  He is known to frequent the Boston and Framingham areas.  Any member of the public with information about Eugene Sutton’s whereabouts should immediately contact Framingham Police at 508-872-1212. Sutton is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

The preliminary investigation suggests that on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at approximately 1:19 a.m., Framingham police received a 911 call from a female caller known to the victim reporting a possible shooting at a Hayes Street residence. Upon arrival, police located the victim dead inside the residence suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The subsequent investigation revealed that the home was operating as a rooming house and that the victim was not a resident there and was located in a room rented by another male party known to the victim.                                                                              

An autopsy conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on October 31, 2021, determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was homicide.  The autopsy also revealed lacerations on the victim. 

Further investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, Eugene and Aaron Sutton had a phone conversation with the victim during which they agreed to meet at Hayes Street.  Upon arrival the three men entered the residence. A short time later, witnesses reported hearing a gunshot.  Based on witness interviews and surveillance video collected in the area, police determined that two men, later identified as Aaron and Eugene Sutton allegedly fled the residence after the shooting.  Investigators subsequently developed information that Eugene Sutton had reportedly traveled to an Ashland residence after the shooting. During the execution of a search warrant at that residence, a firearm consistent with the weapon used in the murder was located. The preliminary investigation suggests that Aaron and Eugene Sutton robbed the victim of money and other items. During a subsequent altercation, the victim was slashed and Eugene Sutton fatally shot him.

On November 2, 2021, Aaron Sutton was located in Framingham by an off-duty Framingham Police officer who notified additional officers.  Aaron was subsequently placed under arrest without incident.

Both Aaron and Eugene Sutton have been charged with murder, armed robbery, armed assault to murder and possession of a firearm.

This is an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Framingham Police with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, Boston Police Fugitive Unit and Boston Police Gang Unit.